Verbena plant named ‘Balendredim’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Verbena  plant named ‘Balendredim’, characterized by its bright red-colored flowers, dark green-colored foliage, and vigorous, mounded-spreading growth habit, is disclosed.

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: Verbena hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Balendredim’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Verbenaplant botanically known as Verbena hybrid and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name ‘Balendredim’.

The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in ArroyoGrande, Calif. during March 2015. The objective of the breeding programwas the development of Verbena cultivars that are durable toenvironmental stresses, have dark green-colored foliage, and amounded-spreading growth habit.

The new Verbena cultivar is the result of cross-pollination. The female(seed) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietary Verbena hybridbreeding selection coded 18664, not patented, characterized by its darkred-colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and moderatelyvigorous, mounded growth habit. The male (pollen) parent of the newcultivar is the proprietary Verbena hybrid breeding selection coded18205, not patented, characterized by its dark red-colored flowers, darkgreen-colored foliage, and vigorous, spreading growth habit. The newcultivar was selected as a single flowering plant within the progeny ofthe above stated cross-pollination during April 2016 in a controlledenvironment in Arroyo Grande, Calif.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stern cuttingssince April 2016 in Arroyo Grande, Calif., and West Chicago, Ill. hasdemonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all ofthe characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retainedthrough successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedlyobserved and can be used to distinguish ‘Balendredim’ as a new anddistinct cultivar of Verbena plant:

-   -   1. Bright red-colored flowers;    -   2. Dark green-colored foliage; and    -   3. Vigorous, mounded-spreading growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female and maleparents primarily by having a larger diameter inflorescence and a morespreading growth habit. Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants ofthe female and male parents primarily by having a larger diameterinflorescence and a more mounded growth habit.

Of the many commercially available Verbena cultivars, the most similarin comparison to the new cultivar is Endurascape Red ‘Balendred’, U.S.Plant Pat. No. 26,132. However, in side-by-side comparisons, plants ofthe new cultivar differ from plants of ‘Balendred’ in at least thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new cultivar have more inflorescences per plant        plants of ‘Balendred’;    -   2. Plants of the new cultivar have a slightly darker red-colored        flower than plants of ‘Balcadavlu’; and    -   3. Plants of the new cultivar have a wider habit than plants of        ‘Balendred’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typicalflower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed description, which accurately describes the colors of‘Balendredim’. The approximately 6-month-old plants were grown in4.5-inch pots for approximately 16 weeks and then 6-inch pots forapproximately 5 weeks in a greenhouse in West Chicago, Ill. Plants weregiven one pinch two weeks after transplant.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the overall growth and flowering habitof ‘Balendredim’.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of an individual inflorescence of‘Balendredim’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype mayvary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is TheR.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England,2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significanceare used. The color values were determined in March 2020 under naturallight conditions in West Chicago, Ill.

The following descriptions and measurements describe approximately6-month-old plants produced from cuttings from stock plants and grown ina glass-covered greenhouse in West Chicago, Ill. under conditionscomparable to those used in commercial practice. The plants were grownutilizing a soilless growth medium in 4.5-inch pots for approximately 16weeks and then 6-inch pots for approximately 5 weeks. Plants were givenone pinch two weeks after transplant, Greenhouse temperatures weremaintained at approximately 67° F. to 72° F. (19° C. to 22° C.) duringthe day and approximately 65° F. to 68° F. (18° C. to 20° C.) during thenight. Supplemental lighting was used. Measurements and numerical valuesrepresent averages of typical plants.

-   Botanical classification: Verbena hybrid ‘Balendredim’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary Verbena hybrid breeding selection            coded 18664, not patented.        -   Male parent.—Proprietary Verbena hybrid breeding selection            coded 18205, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—Terminal stem.        -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 6 to 9 days.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—Approximately 24 to 28            days.        -   Root description.—Fibrous.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching.-   Plant description:    -   -   Commercial crop time.—Approximately 5 to 7 weeks from a            rooted cutting to finish in a 10 cm pot.        -   Growth habit and general appearance.—Vigorous,            mounded-spreading.        -   Size.—Height from soil level to top of plant plane:            Approximately 13.0 cm. Width: Approximately 76.0 cm.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching, pinching enhances basal            branching. Quantity of main branches per plant:            Approximately 6.        -   Branch.—Shape: Square in cross section. Strength: Strong.            Length: Approximately 38.0 cm. Diameter: Approximately            3.0 mm. Length of central internode: Approximately 4.0 cm.            Texture: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and            nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Mixture of N92C and            colorless, transparent. Color of young stems: 144A. Color of            mature stems: 137B.-   Foliage description:    -   -   General description.—Quantity of leaves per main branch:            Approximately 20. Fragrance: None detected. Form: Simple.            Arrangement: Opposite.        -   Leaves.—Aspect: Perpendicular to stem, obtuse angle with            age. Shape: Ovate to oblong. Margin: Crenate. Apex: Broadly            acute. Base: Truncate. Venation pattern: Pinnate. Length of            mature leaf: Approximately 5.5 cm. Width of mature leaf:            Approximately 4.0 cm. Texture of upper surface: Moderately            pubescent. Texture of lower surface: Densely pubescent with            a mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color:            Colorless, transparent. Color of upper surface of young and            mature foliage: Closest to but darker than NN137A with            venation of 147C. Color of lower surface of young and mature            foliage: Closest to 137B with venation of 147C.        -   Petiole.—Length: Approximately 6.0 mm. Diameter:            Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture: Densely pubescent with a            mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color:            Colorless, transparent. Color: 147C.-   Flowering description:    -   -   Flowering habit.—‘Balendredim’ is freely flowering under            outdoor growing conditions with substantially continuous            blooming from spring through autumn and year-round in            greenhouse environment.        -   Lastingness of individual flower on the plant.—Approximately            5 to 7 days.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   General description.—Type: Corymb. Shape: Hemispherical.            Quantity per plant: Approximately 5. Fragrance: None            detected. Length or height: 5.0 cm. Width: Approximately            6.0 cm. Quantity of fully open flowers per inflorescence:            Approximately 24.        -   Peduncle.—Strength: Strong. Aspect: Erect. Length:            Approximately 7.0 cm. Diameter: Approximately 3.0 mm.            Texture: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and            nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Mixture of N92C and            colorless, transparent. Color: 137B.-   Flower description:    -   -   General description.—Type: Sessile, salverform.        -   Bud.—Rate of opening: Generally takes 2 to 3 days for bud to            progress from first color to fully open flower. Quantity of            unopened inflorescences per plant: Approximately 7.        -   Bud just before opening.—Shape: Elongated, globular at apex.            Length: Approximately 1.3 cm. Diameter: Approximately            3.0 mm. Petal portion 53A, sepal portion 137B.        -   Corolla.—Shape: Round. Diameter: Approximately 2.1 cm.            Depth: Approximately 2.8 cm.        -   Petals.—Quantity: 5, fused at base forming a tube. Shape:            Obovate. Appearance: Matte. Margin: Entire. Apex:            Emarginate. Length of upper petals from tube: Approximately            9.0 mm. Width of upper petals: Approximately 8.0 mm. Length            of lateral petals from tube: Approximately 1.0 cm. Width of            lateral petals: Approximately 1.0 cm. Length of lower petal            from tube: Approximately 1.0 cm. Width of lower petal:            Approximately 1.1 cm. Texture of upper surface: Glabrous            with glandular pubescent base. Texture of lower surface:            Sparsely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and            nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Mixture of N92C and            colorless, transparent. Color of upper surface when first            open: 46A with N187A at throat opening. Color of lower            surface when first and fully open: 47C with NN155D at base.            Color of upper surface when fully open: 45A with 187A at            throat opening. Color of whiskers surrounding the opening of            the corolla tube: N81C.        -   Corolla tube.—Length: Approximately 2.0 cm. Diameter at            proximal end: Approximately 1.0 mm. Diameter at distal end:            Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture of outer surface: Upper half            moderately pubescent, lower half glabrous. Texture of inner            surface: Upper half densely pubescent, lower half moderately            pubescent. Color of outer surface: 145D to 145C with an            overlay of N79B at distal end. Color of inner surface: 145D            to 145C with an underlay of N79B at throat opening.        -   Calyx.—Shape: Tubular with 5 acute tips. Length:            Approximately 1.2 cm. Width: Approximately 3.0 mm.        -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower: 5, fused at base. Shape:            Linear. Apex: Acute. Length: Approximately 1.2 cm. Width:            Approximately 1.0 mm. Texture of inner surface: Moderately            pubescent. Texture of outer surface: Densely pubescent with            a mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color:            Mixture of N92C and colorless, transparent. Color of inner            and outer surfaces: 137B.        -   Stipules.—Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Length:            Approximately 6.0 mm. Width at base: Approximately 2.0 mm.            Texture of inner surface: Glabrous. Texture of outer            surface: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and            nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Mixture of N92C and            colorless, transparent. Color of inner and outer surfaces:            144A at base transitioning to 137A at apex.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Stamen quantity: 4,            didynamous. Stamen length of longer pair: Approximately            2.0 mm. Stamen length of shorter pair: Approximately 1.0 mm.            Anther shape: Bilobed, ovoid. Anther length: Approximately            1.0 mm. Anther color: N144D. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen            color: 1D. Gynoecium: Pistil quantity: 1 per flower. Pistil            length: Approximately 2.0 cm. Stigma shape: Bifid. Stigma            length: Less than 1.0 mm. Stigma color: 137A. Style length:            Approximately 1.9 cm. Style color: 145D with 145B tinted            with 187A near stigma. Ovary diameter: Approximately 1.0 mm.            Ovary texture: Glabrous. Ovary color: 144A.-   Seed and fruit production: Neither seed nor fruit production has    been observed.-   Disease and pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests    common to Verbena has not been observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plantnamed ‘Balendredim’, substantially as herein illustrated and described.